Sts Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral

Sts Peter and Paul's Old Cathedral is a significant example of 19th century Gothic ecclesiastical design and craftsmanship. The Cathedral is constructed from diorite porphyrite (greenstone) and is the only church of this stone in Australia, possibly the world. The organ is the only unaltered William Hill organ in Australia, and is the second most important of his organs after the Sydney Town Hall organ. The parish was established in 1839 with the first church constructed on the current site in 1848. The Diocese of Goulburn was then created in 1862 with Bishop Geoghegan appointed as the first Bishop. Bishop Geoghegan died in Ireland before taking up his appointment with Bishop Lanigan being appointed as second Bishop and consecrated in the old church of Sts Peter and Paul’s. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1871 with the Mr Andrea Stombuco the architect. Andrea’s experience included the original St Patrick’s College Goulburn and the original portion of the Argyle Technical College (now Goulburn’s Hume Conservatorium). During construction of the nave the old church was used as the sanctuary. The foundations for the transepts, sanctuary, tower and sacristy commenced in 1887 and the Cathedral was completed in 1890 with a large bell (cast in Ireland) installed in the tower. Renovations took place in 1927 where the marble floor, high altar and extensive timber joinery were added.